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"By the time you read this Saints will have made their first signing of the January transfer window with the capture of Norwegian central defender Vegard Forren.
He arrives on the South Coast with a growing reputation as one of the best defensive prospects in Europe having captained Molde to the Norwegian title, a feat that saw him crowed the Tippeligaen's player of the year, and performed well on the European and international stages.
On the pitch Forren should be well suited to Nigel Adkins' style if play as he's comfortable in possession and has a good range of passing. He is predominantly left-footed so should be able to slot in to the left-hand-side of central defence, his preferred side, as both Maya Yoshida and Jose are right-footed. He's said to read the game well and also have the physicality to deal with the Premier League
Forren also comes with a glowing reference from Claus Lundekvam, a fellow Norwegian and one of many Scandinavians to have donned a Southampton shirt in recent years. Lundekvam made over 400 appearances for Saints and captained the side for many of them, both in the Premier League and Championship. While recent revelations about drug addiction and alleged match-fixing have angered some fans, his service to the club cannot be forgotten.
Lundekvam represents the top end of Saints' Scandinavian signings, including Finns in that definition, along with the likes of Anders and Michael Svensson, Egil Ostenstad, Anti Niemi and Jo Tessem. There have been less specular ones such as Alexander 'Jesus' Ostlund, whose defending was often far from divine, and striker Stig Johansen who was as big a flop any of Shefki Kuqi's goal celebrations.
Whether or not Forren turns out to be a Lundekvam or an Ostlund remains to be seen, but he certainly appears to have the tools necessary to be a success. It could be the start of another special career for a Scandinavian at St. Mary's.

Published by: Ali Iveson
on 17 January 2013"

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